I'm heading down to Florida to a certain beach for vacation in July. I'm defiantly going to bring my detector and my kayak to go to a secluded spot. My question is:
There is a state park on the island-Can I detect there? If so anything I cannot do?
I've read the stickys about laws but some seem confusing. Like how high up on the beaches you can go etc.
If anyone detects in Fl. on a regular basis, any info so I do not get in trouble?

You cannot dig in the dirt on public land in FL........to many artifacts hidden. You can hunt the dry sand but be aware of the salvage rights if you are in the water. Park police will harrass you and take your detector away if you are violating any laws. Check with the park ranger before you hunt anyplace.

Generally, you can hunt on beaches up to the dunes. If you are going to the Treasure Coast area, then you cannot hunt in the water due to the salvage rights. Hunting within the state parks is generally off limits, but the beach areas past the dunes adjacent to the parks are usually OK. Call ahead to the state park and ask, that's your best bet. Good luck!

if you call the park or talk to a park ranger they will let you know the rules of the park.usuallycan detect on gulf coast i was told water ok beach ok from water to dunes cant dig where there is any vegatation.good luck and hh

Gee, Florida doesn't sound like a good place to detect at all.
Public land off limits.
Offshore off limits
Dunes off limits.
certain very large parts of coast were off limits last time I was there.
I`m liking California more and more.

Originally Posted by IntoItView post
Gee, Florida doesn't sound like a good place to detect at all.
Public land off limits.
Offshore off limits
Dunes off limits.
certain very large parts of coast were off limits last time I was there.
I`m liking California more and more.

California coast is very different from the east coast. That is the general rule up and down the whole east side. You have cliffs that meet the ocean and do not have a lot of beach erosion.......we do, the dunes help protect us from erosion. East coast has a lot of shipwrecks that carried silver and gold, salvage companies have the right to stake claims in the waters. Public lands varies from state to state.

Play dumb, say your looking for your wifes ring, lost watch, etc. Don't just say your detecting...me Id just do it

Originally Posted by BobbieView post
You cannot dig in the dirt on public land in FL........to many artifacts hidden. You can hunt the dry sand but be aware of the salvage rights if you are in the water. Park police will harrass you and take your detector away if you are violating any laws. Check with the park ranger before you hunt anyplace.

Originally Posted by joeb1999View post
Play dumb, say your looking for your wifes ring, lost watch, etc. Don't just say your detecting...me Id just do it

That wont work so well on lease beaches, strict state parks, or marine sanctuaries. Like all laws it is the individuals responsibility to know what they are.

The right thing to do for yourself and the hobby, in regards to the question of this thread is to get permission from the State park Rangers before you detect there. They will probably say its ok, in certain areas, and if they say no then its probably serious business if you get caught.

Originally Posted by joeb1999View post
Play dumb, say your looking for your wifes ring, lost watch, etc. Don't just say your detecting...me Id just do it

Dude in this state you get lobsters out of season and it's a $500 fine per lobster and boat confiscation. Even in season if they are undersized the same rules apply! AND this applies to a lot of the different game fish in fishing as well. A lot of people have learned the hard way you don't scr*w around with laws that relate to anything ocean and water related. Believe it or not you're better off getting caught with dope and dealing!

Thanks again for all the replies! I am going to give them a call and see whats up. If anyone is down there pretty often and knows the beaches in the gulf pretty well shoot me a pm, I can tell ya where and see if you have any ideas or tips for a beach first timer!
Thanks!!

deerhunter;
I call chamber of conference on sanibel and they were real helpful
The gentleman said and I quote "if it is sand you can detect" also gave me a couple areas that he says would be good to go because everyone is looking for shells

Thanks for all the help everyone! I wrote to the park and here is the VERY quick response I received. I guess I'll have to talk to the ranger when I get there.

Dear Craig,

Thank you for your interest in Florida State Parks.
Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 62D-2 which provides rules and regulations for Florida State Parks does not specifically address the use of metal detectors; however it prohibits any ground disturbing activity which is a product of metal detecting. As a result, guidelines for the use of metal detectors as stated in the Florida State Parks Operations Manual are as follows:

1. Due to the tidal influence in coastal areas, the use of metal detecting devices are allowed in coastal parks, in a zone between the waterline and the toe of the dune, as determined by the Park Manager, except at archaeological sites within the zone designated by the Division of Historical Resources (DHR) or the Park Manager.

2. For the recovery of lost personal items that are specifically identified by their owner as being lost in a specific area of a park. The owner of lost property or his representative should contact the park manager who will arrange a time for the search to be conducted in the presence of a park staff member. During these searches, only the item sought may be kept by the owner or his representative.

Any dug hole(s) associated with the use of a metal detector must be refilled to the contour of pre-dig conditions using excavated material.
(I put that in bold)

You should get together with the park staff to ensure you are both on the same page as far as the boundaries for where you can metal detect and the areas to stay away from. This will help to alleviate misunderstandings as far as interpretation of the rule.

"Good follow up, Florida beaches have strong public use rights but there are specific exceptions. Hope you have fun on your trip and maybe find a bit of what your looking for. "

Even better, find another place to vacation.
Hit 'em in the pocketbook (no tourist $$) if they're gonna go all Gestapo on us.
Florida law enforcement (AKA gov't burglars) is as cash-strapped as ever, more green and white cars and "Specialty cops" than I have ever seen,
in any country, anywhere, and I hope it comes back in their face.

Well I do understand their laws. Alot of Floridas historic sites are in the water. Here in Missouri and most other states, I think it is also illegal to dig in historic/archeological sites. I do wish it was legal as I'm sure most of us do but such is life Laws are laws and I don't need any tickets lol I just want to know the laws/regs before going down there without a clue. Hope this thread helped others out also!
Craig

west coast any public beach is ok to detect on the beach and in the water....state parks definite no no.....east coast public beaches to the water line is ok...DO NOT GO IN THE WATER WITH A DETECTOR ON THE EAST COAST...almost all the east coast water is under contract to treasure hunting companies.....when in doubt ask....where ever you might be......have fun lots of gold to be found. I've been detecting florida beaches for over 10 years now, there is lots of lost jewelry...........must have a good detector, Check wet sand areas and look for the deeper signals..gold sinks fast. Look for firm sand, if you leave footprints when you walk the sand is to loose, targets will be too deep. Firm sand, no footprints gives you your best chance to find the good stuff. Think density......anyway good luck .....

__________________
minelab 800 for water detecting
minelab quattro for land detecting

What, if anyone is in the area or knows, are the general rules around P'cola? I may be staying in a condo on Santa Rosa Island in May and would like to know. What about beaches near the fishing piers? Are those public or owned by hotels and the like? We fished last year mostly at Fort Walton, Oskaloosa (?) Pier and once or twice at P'cola pier. Lots of people on the sand. Would possibly like to hit them around dinner time or as people are leaving. If anyone lives down there in P'cola and has some spots they'd be willing to share a few hours with, with this yankee that would be awesome. Only one gold ring to my credit and would like to up my odds a little bit. Thanks. You can PM me or reply here.

Originally Posted by deerhunterView post
I'm heading down to Florida to a certain beach for vacation in July. I'm defiantly going to bring my detector and my kayak to go to a secluded spot. My question is:
There is a state park on the island-Can I detect there? If so anything I cannot do?
I've read the stickys about laws but some seem confusing. Like how high up on the beaches you can go etc.
If anyone detects in Fl. on a regular basis, any info so I do not get in trouble?

State Park = No Detecting

I called the one near me spoke to a ranger that was less than nice. I asked if detecting was allowed and she said NO and wanted to know who told me it was okay. I said nobody told me its okay that's why I'm calling to ask, and then just hung up.

Originally Posted by deerhunterView post
Thanks again for all the replies! I am going to give them a call and see whats up. If anyone is down there pretty often and knows the beaches in the gulf pretty well shoot me a pm, I can tell ya where and see if you have any ideas or tips for a beach first timer!
Thanks!!

What's the big secret, the beaches around the Gulf get detected all the time? Just say what town and I'm sure someone will have the answer.